Wednesday: The Sealed Book
Read Daniel 12:4 and John 14:29. Why is the book of Daniel to be sealed until the time of the end?
At the conclusion of the last major section of the book (Dan. 10:1-12:4), the prophet receives the command to seal the scroll until the time of the end. In the same breath, the angel predicts that “ ‘many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Dan. 12:4, NKJV).
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Although some students of Daniel have taken these words as a prediction of scientific progress, which also could be included in the meaning, the context seems to indicate that running “to and fro” refers to searching the book of Daniel itself. Indeed, as we look back into history, we note that Daniel remained an obscure piece of literature for centuries. It may have been known and studied in some places, but some of its key teachings and prophecies remained mysterious. For example, the prophetic messages related to the purification of the heavenly sanctuary, the judgment, the identity and work of the little horn, along with the time frame related to these prophecies, were far from clear.
But from the Protestant Reformation onward, more and more people began to study the book of Daniel. However, it was only at the time of the end that the book was finally opened and its contents more fully unveiled. As Ellen G. White notes, “Since 1798 the book of Daniel has been unsealed, knowledge of the prophecies has increased, and many have proclaimed the solemn message of the judgment near”. — The Great Controversy, p. 356. “At the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century a new interest in the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation was awakened in widely separated places of earth. The study of these prophecies led to a widespread belief that the second advent of Christ was near. Numerous expositors in England, Joseph Wolff in the Middle East, Manuel Lacunza in South America, and William Miller in the United States, together with a host of other students of the prophecies, declared, on the basis of their study of the prophecies of Daniel, that the second advent was at hand. Today, this conviction has become the driving force of a worldwide movement”. — The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 879.
| Think about the great advantage that we have today to be able to look back on history and see how these historical prophecies of Daniel have been fulfilled. How should this help us trust in all of God’s promises? |
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I like the way this translation reads. It gives a sense that in the "end-time" we are making knowledge a goal. And when you link this to a conversation that Jesus had with the Pharisees you get a picture that makes a lot of sense:
Couple this with what Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
I think that puts the prophecies of Daniel into perspective. If we do not get the "love" bit right, the rest of our knowledge increase is a failure.
God's promises are always fulfilled. Ckecking upon what the Bible says about historical events and everything has occurred. God is love and will never change! We are the ones to rebel and fight against what we were naturally made for. We were made perfect, but we decided to be different. We were made to love each other and live in harmony, but we created money.
Amen!! Thank you Maurice for putting it so eloquently into perspective 👍
I am reflecting on the lesson this morning in a time which many of us are at home because of Covid-19. Our face to face communication is reduced and we rely on technology. Not only do we all have an advantage to look back on history, we have incredible resources to do so. This website is a blessing to me and many others. I agree with you Maurice all of this means nothing without the love of Jesus in our hearts. Without that all of this great access to knowledge/history through technology is redirected by Satan for his purposes. Lets turn our eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.
Jesus could have started His reign as King of Kings, Lord of Lords,' and High Priest before "The Cross," and there would have been "No Cross," at that point either. There still would have been His Bleeding and Dying for sin but then He would have done that six months later at The Day of Atonement. He would have just simply taken the place of "The bullock and Lord's goat," for that occasion etc. This all would have hinged upon the Jewish Leadership accepting Him for who He was and is. Then there would have been no need of a "Second Coming."
Is it possible that this was sealed up because until these things had happened, no one could comprehend what was being talked about? Israel had been through some very troublesome times throughout their history, before Daniels time, but nothing like what was to come. We can see what is being talked about because we can look back and see how this was fulfilled.
God gave promise through prophecy in Daniel 12;4 and when it's was "*time*" it was unveii. God is faithful.throughout generations he's been faithful.
So what has God prophesied against you? Has it been full filled? Is it a matter of time? Is it of saviour?
We do not know tommorow
Perhaps we're blinded with life, seeing we walk in God's way.
Its my prayer that our Heavenly Father to accept us.the words written in the books of Heaven be not of bad end prophecy towards us
O what Love is this, what Love is this??
The book of Daniel like any other book was given in love, God love for his people he wanted us to know about the future before it happens. Those he loves, he reveals his secrets to.
The book of Daniel is divided into two main parts: literal and prophetic. It was the prophetic part that was sealed. The prophetic part was for many years to come. Dan 12:4
In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end.” Daniel 12:4. {AA 585.1}
It was Gabriel, “His angel,” whom Christ sent to open the future to the beloved John; and a blessing is pronounced on those who read and hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things written therein. Revelation 1:3. {DA 234.2}
“The Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” While “the secret things belong unto the Lord our God,” “those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever.” Amos 3:7; Deuteronomy 29:29. God has given these things to us, and His blessing will attend the reverent, prayerful study of the prophetic scriptures. {DA 234.3}
The Bible says God is Love. From Genesis-Revelation we see a God of Love. John the hater as we read in Luke 9:54. This one disciple who asked Jesus to call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans because they refused to allow them to pass through their land had become the disciple to write about love in 1 John 1:1-3 John:1. Jesus called John his beloved. But what made the change in John? 1 John 4:7 encourages us to love one another. No one can love one another except the Holy Spirit is dwelling in them. Love is not love until it is tested. 1 Cor 13 tells us what love is not, then it says what love is. How many Christians can remember when someone did us something 5,10,20 yrs ago and it still hurts us like yesterday. We hate (haters are killers) the very shadow of that person, when their names are called, we feel so nauseated. In the commandments the first four is to love the Lord with all our hearts, soul, mind and body. The last six is to love others as ourselves.
With the Corona virus many faith will be tested, many will refused to share that once gave. Self preservation is the first law of nature.
No matter how high the profession, he whose heart is not filled with love for God and his fellow men is not a true disciple of Christ.... He might display great liberality; but should he, from some other motive than genuine love, bestow all his goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend him to the favor of God. In his zeal he might even meet a martyr’s death, yet if not actuated by love, he would be regarded by God as a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite. {AA 318.2}
The end-time messages are very difficult words God gave to his prophets. You have made it a bit more simple to understand. Thanks very much for that. I'm going to read more for better. God bless you all.